GOVERNMENT EXPECTING BNI REPORT THIS WEEK

Government has announced that the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) had requested an extension beyond the seven day timeframe given to it in order to complete its investigations into the circumstances leading to a substance which was initially tested to be cocaine and later turning into sodium bicarbonate.

A statement signed by Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Information said the BNI requested the extension which government duly granted. He however indicated that the BNI has up to the 6th of January 2012 to present its report to the President.

It will be recalled that on the 14th of December, Government tasked the BNI to unravel the mystery surrounding how a substance suspected to be cocaine and handed over to an Accra Circuit Court turned into sodium bicarbonate. The BNI had been given seven days to submit its report on whether the substance handed over to the court by the Police in September 2011, and which had since been in the custody of the court, was the same substance that was later presented to the Ghana Standards Board for testing.

The statement concluded that government is not taking this matter lightly and that there is utmost determination to unravel the mystery and let justice reign.

Hon. Samuel OKUDZETO ABLAKWA
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR INFORMATION
ACCRA
[Tuesday, January 03, 2012]